Bulls beat Nets, Rockets still grounded

WE HAVE A PROBLEM:Oklahoma City fought off a late Houston rally to open up a 3-0 series lead, while Chicago needed triple overtime to overcome Brooklyn

AP, CHICAGO

Nate Robinson of the Chicago Bulls, center, goes to the basket between Andray Blatche, left, and Reggie Evans of the Brooklyn Nets in the second half of Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday.

Photo: Reuters

Nate Robinson scored 34 points as the Chicago Bulls wiped out a 14-point deficit late in regulation to beat the Brooklyn Nets 142-134 in triple overtime on Saturday to take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series.

The Bulls were trailing 109-95 with less than 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter when Robinson put the Bulls on his back and carried them to the victory.

He scored all but five of his points after the third quarter, including the first 12 in a 14-0 run that wiped out the deficit. Then, with two seconds left in the first overtime, he banked in a go-ahead jumper over Deron Williams.

Joe Johnson answered with one of his own to send it into a second overtime, tied at 121-121.

The Bulls had a chance to win in the closing seconds of the next extra session, but Joakim Noah was blocked and the game went to a third overtime.

The Bulls finally pulled away after Williams (32 points) drove for a layup to pull Brooklyn to 133-130 — the only points for him after regulation — with three minutes left.

Luol Deng answered with a basket to make it a five-point game and Nazr Mohammed came up with two baskets in the final 32 seconds to help preserve the win.

He scored on a jump hook, then grabbed the rebound and scored with 19 seconds left after Carlos Boozer made a free throw and missed the second, making it 140-134.

The Bulls will try to wrap up the best-of-seven series in Brooklyn today.

THUNDER 104, ROCKETS 101

In Houston, Texas, Kevin Durant scored 41 points in his first game without injured All-Star Russell Westbrook as Oklahoma City fought off Houston’s late rally to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

Durant scored 27 points in the first half as the Thunder led by 26 points, before a big third-quarter rally by the Rockets put them within striking distance.

Houston regained the lead with about four minutes left and was up with less than a minute remaining, but Durant hit a three-pointer seconds later to put Oklahoma City on top 100-99.

A turnover by James Harden gave the Thunder the ball back and Derek Fisher made two free throws to push the lead to three. Harden made a layup, but Reggie Jackson hit two more free throws after that.

Houston had a last chance, but Carlos Delfino’s three-point effort fell short.

Harden scored 30 points to lead the Rockets in the first playoff game in Houston since 2009.

Game 4 is today in Houston.

GRIZZLIES 104, CLIPPERS 83

In Memphis,Tennessee, Marc Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds as Memphis beat Los Angeles to even their first-round playoff series at 2-2.

Zach Randolph finished with 24 points and nine rebounds as the Grizzlies won their second straight to ensure another stop in Memphis for Game 6. Mike Conley had 15 points and 13 assists, while Tayshaun Prince scored 15 in his best game of the series.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin had 19 points apiece for the Clippers, while Griffin also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Los Angeles’ reserves outscored their counterparts again, 43-16, but DeAndre Jordan was the only other starter to score for Los Angeles and he had two points.

Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler went a combined none for 10 from the floor in being shut out.

Game 5 is tomorrow in Los Angeles.

HAWKS 90, PACERS 69

In Atlanta, Georgia, Al Horford had 26 points and 16 rebounds as Atlanta turned things around dramatically in their playoff series against Indiana, blowing out the Pacers in Game 3.